India and Bangladesh U19 Captains Skip Handshake at Toss Amid Political Tensions

During the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 match in Bulawayo, India captain Ayush Mhatre and Bangladesh vice-captain Zawad Abrar did not shake hands at the toss, breaking cricketing tradition amid rising political tensions between the two countries. Bangladesh's regular captain was absent due to illness. The Bangladesh Cricket Board clarified the incident was unintentional, attributing it to a momentary lapse in concentration and emphasized respect and sportsmanship. The teams later shook hands after India’s 18-run victory, easing concerns over strained relations that have affected cricket ties, including disputes over player releases and T20 World Cup venues.